Brampton FC on Last Legs?

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:50 am

Anyone know about the health of the Brampton Flying Club? I read somewhere on the 'net that it may be fading. I'm looking around for a flying school and I'd hate to start somewhere that's not sound. Plus! Some memorabilia from my grandfather's WWI flying days are with the museum there and if the place goes under, their disposition would be a concern.

Any info?

rigpiggy · Post by **rigpiggy** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:13 am

if there viability is a concern, only put money down at say 500$ at a time, and ask for a duplicate of your ftr and get the instructor to sign your ftr after every flight. while there offer to buy the memorabilia from them for a nominal fee with the proviso that your name go on the back . something like "on loan from the collection of xyz". This will give them some extra income, that may help. Also no time like the present, do your license now, winter months are normally quite lean for flying schools, it may help to keep an instructor part time for the winter.

bob sacamano · Post by **bob sacamano** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:27 am

rigpiggy wrote:if there viability is a concern, only put money down at say 500$ at a time,

May I ask why that is? why do you have to put ANY money down? Down for what? Someone pleaaaaaaaaaaaase explain this to me!

Howbout you pay as you go?

Some people just don't learn! :smt073

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:42 am

That wasn't my concern, anyway, since I know I can pay as I go. My thought was that I just didn't want to get familiar with a place and an organization only to find out a few months later that they've gone under. In terms not just of training, but of renting afterwards.

bob sacamano · Post by **bob sacamano** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:54 am

Welcome to aviation. Don't get too comfy with what you have now. The only constant in this industry is change.

I did my PPL out of the crook owned flight school out of CNB9. Lucky for me, the school shut down just after my PPL ride.

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:10 am

LOL.

Well, I'm looking at 2 other places, too. Durham Flt. Sch. in Oshawa and Spectrum in Burlington.

Of course if the GTAA gets its way, one of these days the Oshawa airport will vanish. So, yeah, nothing's constant.

I'll have to make some inquiries about the Brampt. F.C., tho, since they run the Great War Flying Museum and my mother donated the miniatures of her father's WWI medals (DFC, Croix de Guerre, Chevalier Order of Leopold) and some photos, about a dozen years ago. I'd hate for those to vanish if the club and the museum are in danger of going under.

N2 · Post by N2 » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:53 am

YOO can't vanish just yet , I mean where else would GM park the cars they can't sell? Last time I was out there the old Delta taxi way was lined with new crap cans GM can't even give away with all the incentives!

FlyByWire · Post by **FlyByWire** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:08 pm

If you read this on the BFC Underground, be advised that not very many people take that guy seriously anymore. He has been predicting the downfall of BFC in "six months" for several years now. In the begining, he did raise some valid concerns, ut the newsletter has degenerated into personal attacks.

Brampton is an excellent place to train if you are on the west side of the GTA. I encourage you to come out and check out the facilities and instructors.

Eh Pilit · Post by **Eh Pilit** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:45 pm

I agree. You gotta be careful with what the facts actually are and what some people may wish to happen. And I dont know myself what the facts are right now, since I left that snake pit a few years ago, but I can tell you that a couple of years ago it was well known that things were not going well. That Air Caledon effort that never took off, despite the hard work of some employees; the fact that a few employees made six figures a year while we instructors starved, that the instructors despise the CFI and are not motivated to work, I dont know, you hear things but I cant say I dont know for sure.......however if I were a student right now, I wouldnt worry about that. Just pay as you go and you will be flying well maintained machines and a friedly staff to help you out.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:11 pm

CYOO is closing 2012 Jan.

Brampton Flying _club_ should be around for longer...

Duder · Post by **Duder** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:09 pm

Anybody know if the museum there is still flying those homebuilt WWI warbirds? I used to hang out there when I was like 12. One of the coolest museums in the country. Definately worth checking out if you're in the area.

wan2fly99 · Post by **wan2fly99** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:56 am

YYZ, how do you know Oshawa is closing in Jan 2012?

I fly fom Oshawa and would hate to see that happen

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:48 pm

2012 is the earliest date they expect a new international airport in Pickering to open. Oshawa and Markham are slated to be closed. I hear there's a fight on over whether Buttonville will go, too.

costermonger · Post by **costermonger** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:14 pm

Duder wrote:Anybody know if the museum there is still flying those homebuilt WWI warbirds?

Yep, they're still making the rounds in the summer.

Wasn't Me · Post by **Wasn't Me** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:30 pm

The GTAA is trying to start the new airport at Pickering and a suggested date of 2012 has been suggesred but since the federal government dragged it's heels, it's more like 2020 as a closing date for the three airports around Pickering. Every day the feds drag adds time to the closing.

As for Brampton it's getting better and I doubt the BFC is closing it might move in the next 20 years and cash in on the land investment the same way it did in the early 70's it's not going to close.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:47 pm

wan2fly99 wrote:YYZ, how do you know Oshawa is closing in Jan 2012?
I fly fom Oshawa and would hate to see that happen

wasn't me wrote:start the new airport at Pickering and a suggested date of 2012 has been suggesred but since the federal government dragged it's heels, it's more like 2020

Maybe we'll never live to see her(CYOO) close with our gov't out to lunch...

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:55 am

When the Trudeau government tried to build a Pickering airport, it got only as far as land expropriation (and the Pickering folks are up in arms about that starting again now!). It's a pity that Hamilton's always sat there so empty and ill-used. I know, it's because passengers are perceived as not wanting to travel that far to get to a plane. Sheesh. So, we'll eat up more prime farmland in Pickering instead.

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:57 pm

I went out and walked the place today and chatted with staff at the desk. Nice surroundings, buildings well-maintained. Staff could answer all questions I had. They actually have a video screen with bios and photos of their instructors in rotation so you can get an idea. Lots of people there even on a wintry Sunday morning.

Having narrowed down my choices for rec and then ppl training between Brampton and Spectrum, I'm thinking Brampton. The diff for a rec permit (based on minimums) is only $150 ($350 when you add in the Bramp. membership cost). And Brampton's currency requirement for rec. permit flyers is 30 days whereas Spectrum is 15, which makes for some breathing room when bad weather, or holidays or illness occur.

So, I think that may be it.

Mornazinomoretuzzi · Post by **Mornazinomoretuzzi** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:01 pm

Beware the BFC, If you must train there choose your instructor wisely and dont get milked. Im not just talking regular flight school milked, Im talking ground briefing in the AC with the engine running. Seen it...

FlyByWire · Post by **FlyByWire** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:46 pm

Yeah, that may have happened at one point. It was a one instructor thing, not a club policy or anything. Hasn't happened for a long time.

arrow206 · Post by **arrow206** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:14 pm

Just an addition .. I had a terrible experience at the Ottawa flying club .. the instructors were only interested in padding their logbooks and bankbooks .. no interest in the well being of the students whatsoever .. the CFI was only interested in his next ski day .. my advice .. stay away.

On the other side of the coin, I have nothing but praise for the gang at Cornwall Aviation

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:25 am

Thanks, but I'm in Toronto, which is why I was inquiring about the status of Brampton.

petite · Post by **petite** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:39 am

arrow206 wrote: On the other side of the coin, I have nothing but praise for the gang at Cornwall Aviation

In full agreement with this. These are fine upstanding people are there to provide great flight training. All dispatchers are named Sue and always available to answer your questions or find someone who can. The CFI GF is hilarious and a wealth of knowledge. As a a kid poking my nose around the planes, the AME SS was always happy to give me advice and answer my never-ending questions (He was happy that I finally went into maintenance and wished me luck on my apprenticeship search). They train people from around the world and help with housing and visas. Nothing but good people trying to instill the skills and practices to make you a safe pilot.

My two cents, petite

ca380 · Post by **ca380** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 9:59 am

Toronto Guy, good choice! I think I may have been one of the people you talked to at BFC the other day! As far as I know the BFC is going strong. We are under new management and many improvements have been made. That is just ludacris that people think we are closing down!

Flymez · Post by **Flymez** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 10:24 am

Personally I would NEVER go back to Brampton for any flight training. I could talk down that place for day's. If your looking for a good flight school Consider Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre in Kitchener. that's where I did All my training. They have a very good reputation, awesome facility and they have deffinently made themselves noticable on the map, CONSIDER IT FOR SURE.

Brampton FC on Last Legs?

Brampton FC on Last Legs?

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